§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what mechanism exists for compensating relatives for the cost of raising headstones that have been laid flat for safety reasons by local authorities; [91879]
(2) what measures he advises local authorities to take to advise relatives of the instability of headstones in cemeteries; [91882]
(3) how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries have been attributed to unsafe headstones in cemeteries in each year since 1990; [91878]
(4) if he will estimate the cost to local authorities in 2002–03 of the safety testing of headstones; [91880]
(5) what guidance is issued to local authorities on funding the safety of headstones in cemeteries. [91881]
§ Hilary BennI have been asked to reply.
Information on the total number of deaths and injuries is not recorded centrally, but I understand that, sadly, there have been at least one death and 14 injuries attributed to unstable memorials in recent years.
621WAdvice for all burial authorities on the issues arising from unsafe memorials is currently being considered by the Home Office-chaired Burial and Cemeteries Advisory Group. The aim is to supplement and expand on existing advice issued by the Health and Safety Executive and the relevant professional organisations. I expect to issue that advice later this year.
If a local authority has acted in a way which gives ground for compensation, or is found by a court to have so acted, it will be a matter for the authority to decide whether or how to meet any proper claim.
Information is not available on the extent of safety testing by local authorities and an estimate on such costs cannot therefore be made.